Starting a catering company in California requires careful planning and adherence to legal requirements outlined by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

From registering your business to obtaining the proper licenses and permits, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the essential legal checklist for launching your catering service in compliance with state regulations.

Follow These Steps to Open a Legal California Catering Company

Step 1: Register Your Business

Before you can legally operate a catering company in California, you must establish your business entity. This process includes choosing a business structure, obtaining a tax identification number, and securing the necessary local registrations.

• Choose a Business Structure
  Decide on a legal structure for your company, such as:
  • Sole Proprietorship – Simplest structure with personal liability.
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Protects personal assets from business liabilities.
  • Corporation (S Corp or C Corp) – Suitable for larger catering businesses seeking investment.
• Register with the California Secretary of State
  If you’re forming an LLC or corporation, register your business with the California Secretary of State.
• Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  An EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is required for tax purposes and to hire employees.
• Apply for a California Seller’s Permit
  If you plan to sell taxable goods or services (such as catering with alcohol), register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to obtain a Seller’s Permit.

Step 2: Obtain Required Business Licenses and Permits

To legally operate a catering business in California, you’ll need several licenses and permits at the state and local levels.

• General Business License
  Every city and county in California requires a business license, which must be obtained from the local city or county clerk’s office.
• Food Handler’s Permit & Health Permits
  • All employees handling food must have a California Food Handler Card.
  • Your catering business must comply with California Health and Safety Code regulations, requiring inspections and permits from the local Environmental Health Department.
• Commercial Kitchen & Commissary Agreements
  • If preparing food offsite, secure access to a licensed commercial kitchen or commissary kitchen approved by health authorities.

Step 3: Apply for a Caterer’s Permit from the California ABC

If your catering company plans to serve alcohol at events, you’ll need a Caterer’s Permit from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

There are two types of permits:

• Type 58 Caterer’s Permit – Allows certain on-sale retail licensees (e.g., restaurants, bars, and clubs) to serve alcohol at off-site catered events.
• Type 91 Beer Manufacturer’s Caterer’s Permit – Allows licensed beer manufacturers to serve beer at approved catering events.

To apply, follow these steps:

1. Complete Form ABC-239 (Additional License/Permit Application).
2. Submit the form to your nearest ABC district office.
3. Pay the required annual permit fee, which varies based on your business location and license type.
4. Wait for approval from the ABC headquarters in Sacramento.

Step 4: Obtain Catering Authorization for Events

Once you have your caterer’s permit, you must apply for catering authorization before each event where alcohol will be served.

• Type 58 Catering Authorization
  • Submit a Catering Authorization Application (Form ABC-218)
  • Pay the required per-event authorization fee (based on attendance size)
  • Applications can be submitted online through the ABC Online Services Portal
• Type 91 Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization
  • Submit a Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application (Form ABC-218-BMC)
  • Must be submitted in person at a local ABC district office (online submission is not available)

💡 Important Regulations:

• Type 58 permits are limited to 36 events per year per location, with exceptions requiring ABC approval.
• Type 91 permits allow a maximum of 36 event days per calendar year per licensee.
• Additional approvals may be required, including property owner consent and law enforcement approval.

Step 5: Comply with California Alcohol Service Regulations

If your catering company involves serving alcohol, you must follow the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations to avoid fines or license revocation.

• Staff Training and Certification
  • Employees serving alcohol must complete Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training and obtain certification through an ABC-approved training program.
  • Training helps staff identify intoxicated individuals and understand California’s alcohol laws.
• On-Site Compliance at Events
  • The approved catering authorization document must be printed and available at the event.
  • Alcohol service areas should be clearly marked and restricted to guests of legal drinking age.
  • Events must follow ABC conditions and local laws, such as limiting alcohol service hours.

Step 6: Obtain Insurance Coverage

Proper insurance coverage protects your catering company from legal and financial liabilities.

• General Liability Insurance – Covers accidents or injuries at events.
• Liquor Liability Insurance – Required for businesses serving alcohol to protect against alcohol-related claims.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Legally required if hiring employees.
• Commercial Auto Insurance – Covers company vehicles used for transporting food and supplies.

Consult with a California-based insurance provider to ensure you meet all coverage requirements.

Step 7: Prepare for Health and Safety Inspections

Maintaining compliance with California Food Code and health regulations is essential for food safety and avoiding penalties.

• Routine Health Inspections
  • Catering companies must pass health department inspections for food storage, handling, and preparation.
  • Keep detailed records of food temperatures, ingredient sources, and cleaning procedures.
• Commercial Kitchen Compliance
  • If using a commissary kitchen, ensure it is permitted and inspected by local health authorities.
  • Mobile food preparation units (e.g., food trucks) require separate health permits.

Step 8: Market Your Catering Company

Once your legal requirements are in place, you can focus on growing your catering company through strategic marketing.

• Register a DBA (Doing Business As)
  • If operating under a name different from your registered business name, file a Fictitious Business Name Statement with your county.
• Create an Online Presence
  • Build a professional website showcasing your menu, pricing, and event services.
  • Use social media marketing to attract local customers.
• Partner with Event Venues and Planners
  • Establish relationships with wedding venues, event coordinators, and corporate clients.
  • Offer promotional packages to secure long-term contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Catering Permits in California

The following FAQs contain official answers from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). These responses provide clarity on licensing, fees, and regulations for catering businesses serving alcohol in California.

What is a caterer’s permit?

There are two types of caterer’s permits. The Type 58 allows certain retail licensees to cater alcoholic beverages off-site. The Type 58 also allows club licensees to cater at their licensed premises. The Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s permit allows licensees holding a beer manufacturer license to cater beer at approved events. Please see our Caterer’s Permit page for information on caterer’s permits, including who is eligible to apply, how to apply, and legal requirements.

What is a catering authorization?

Licensees with a Type 58 caterer’s permit or a Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s permit must obtain authorization from ABC for each catered event. Please see our Caterer’s Permit page for information on caterer’s permits, including who is eligible to apply, how to apply, and legal requirements.

What is the fee for a catering authorization?

The fee for a catering authorization is separate from the annual caterer’s permit fee and is dependent on the estimated attendance size of the catered event. This fee is collected for each day of the event that alcohol is being sold. The fee schedule for catering authorizations can be found on the ABC website. To determine fee(s) due, visit the License Fees page.

How many events can I cater in a year?

For Type 58 caterer’s permits, there is a limit of 36 catered events per year at any given location. This limit applies to all Type 58 caterer’s permits , including those held by club licenses (Type 50, 51, and 52). An exception may be made to exceed 36 catered events if the licensee can clearly establish that additional events are in the best interest of the State and necessary to satisfy substantial public demand. Contact your local district office to request an exception.

For Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s permits, each licensee has a maximum of 36 event days that can be authorized per calendar year.

How do I apply for a catering authorization for a Type 58 caterer’s permit?

You can submit and pay for your catering authorization application online or submit a Catering Authorization Application (Form ABC-218) and payment to your local district office.

To apply online, you must have an Online Services account with a License Administrator role or be a License Administrator Designee with the Manage License permission. Please review the License Administrator Frequently Asked Questions for information about creating an Online Services account with a License Administrator role.

Once you have created your License Administrator account and added your license numbers, you can select Manage and click Applications. Select your license number from the Catering Authorization dropdown menu.

After selecting your license number, click New Application. Complete all required fields. To submit and pay for your application, click Pay Now. You can pay online by eCheck or credit card. A 2.99% non-refundable convenience fee will be added to all credit card payments.

Your application is not automatically approved when you submit and pay for it. Your event may also require Property Owner or Law Enforcement Agency approval. ABC staff will work with you to determine which approvals are required when your application is reviewed. If ABC does not receive all required approvals, the application may be denied.

If additional approvals or documents are required, you will be able to upload them to your online application or email them to ABC.

For more information about submitting and paying for a catering authorization application online, please refer to the Online Catering Authorization Application instructions.

How do I apply for a catering authorization for a Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s permit?

You can submit the Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application (Form ABC-218-BMC) and payment to your local district office. Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s authorization applications are not available online.

Can all catering authorization applications be submitted online?

To apply online, you must add your license number with an active Type 58 to your Online Services account with a License Administrator role. Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s authorization applications are not available online

To be eligible for online submission and payment, the event must be more than five days but not more than 60 days from the date you apply. In addition, you must not have catered more than 36 events at the event location. This limit applies to all Caterer’s Permits (Type 58), including those held by club licenses (Type 50, 51, and 52). To apply for events which do not meet the online criteria, you must contact your local district office.

Is my catering authorization application fee refundable?

If your event is canceled or denied, you may be eligible for a refund. Refunds will not be issued for events canceled on or after the date of the event. Credit card convenience fees are non-refundable.

To request a refund, complete a Catering Authorization Refund Request (Form ABC-218 REF). The refund form must be emailed by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event, delivered in person to an ABC employee by close of business the day before the event, or postmarked by the day before the event. Any form which does not meet that criteria will not be processed, and no refund will be issued. Read the ABC-218 REF instructions before completing the form.

Can I edit my Type 58 online catering authorization application after I submit and pay for it?

The only change you can make to your submitted application is to upload documents. Your event may require Property Owner or Law Enforcement Agency approval. ABC staff will work with you to determine which approvals are required when your application is reviewed.

If additional approvals or documents are required, you will be able to upload them to your online application or email them to ABC. If ABC does not receive all required approvals, the application may be denied.

If you need to make other changes to your application, please contact your local district office.

What approvals do I need for my catering event?

ABC must authorize all catering events. Your event may require operating conditions, Property Owner approval, Law Enforcement Agency approval, or a Supplemental Diagram (Form ABC-253) which clearly identifies where the event is being held. ABC staff will contact you if you have not provided all of the required documents. If ABC does not receive all required approvals, the application may be denied.

All Type 91 beer manufacturer’s catering events must be approved by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the event location.

Will I receive a copy of the documents I submit with my application?

If your event is approved, you will receive an approval document. You are required to print the approval document and have it available at your event, along with any signed conditions. ABC is not required to return copies of supporting documents. Please make copies before you submit your application.

What kind of files can I upload to a Type 58 online catering authorization application?

You can upload the following file types: JPEG image (.jpg), Microsoft Excel Document (.xls), Microsoft Excel Open XML Document (.xlsx), Microsoft Word document (.doc), Microsoft Word Open XML Document (.docx), Plain Text File (.txt), Portable Document Format File (.pdf). Documents must be smaller than 2 MB.

Can I submit and pay for an event for two or more consecutive days online for a Type 58 catering event?

You can submit and pay for events for up to three consecutive days online if each day has the same number of attendees and hours during which alcohol is served. If the dates are not consecutive, or if the number of attendees or hours are not the same, each day must be submitted and paid for as a separate event.

Can I submit and pay for multiple events at once online for a Type 58 catering event?

Currently, each event must be submitted and paid for individually.

How do I know if ABC received my online application for a Type 58 catering event?

The person who submitted the application and the contact person will receive an email when the application is received. ABC staff may contact you for additional information. Your event may also require Property Owner or Law Enforcement Agency approval. ABC staff will work with you to determine which approvals are required when your application is reviewed. If ABC does not receive all required approvals, the application may be denied.

If additional approvals or documents are required, you will be able to upload them to your online application or email them to ABC.

How do I know if my event was approved?

Your application is not automatically approved when you submit and pay for it. The contact person will receive an email when the event is approved or denied. If the event is approved, the contact person will receive an approval document. This document must be printed and available at your event, along with any signed conditions.

Conclusion

Starting a catering business in California involves multiple legal steps, from business registration to obtaining the correct permits and catering authorizations. Whether you plan to serve alcohol at events or focus solely on food service, compliance with state and local regulations is essential to avoid fines, delays, or license revocation.

By following this step-by-step legal checklist, you can confidently launch your catering business while ensuring full compliance with California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), health regulations, and local business laws. Once your permits are in place, you can focus on growing your business, securing clients, and delivering exceptional catering services across the state.

For additional details, visit the California ABC website or contact your local ABC district office to ensure your business remains compliant with the latest regulations.

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